# Leave the birthrate alone

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-the-birthrate-alone/1029286>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 15, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-the-birthrate-alone/1029286 "2026-04-15T12:30:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 293

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**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-the-birthrate-alone/1029286/293 "2026-06-13T03:02:30Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Some issues in Japan.

Yes. And getting more so.

> **[Going Gray](https://www.reuters.com/graphics/JAPAN-AGING/010091PB2LH/)**
>
> The world’s population is getting older. Japan is on the forefront of this demographic trend that will affect Germany, China and Italy in coming years.

> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> people are working later and later

Mixed bag though.

Some, like me, knowledge workers, are choosing to work later. We are of higher SES, have no significant disabilities, and can afford to retire if we wanted to.

And of course some are able to keep working but choose not to.

Others are in physically demanding jobs that have paid less well. They can’t afford to retire but they also have accumulated physical ailments and really should. But they keep working because they have no choice. Until they really cannot.

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